Siobhan Bohnson - President and CEO, Milford Area Chamber of Commerce
Those who think they've worked in an industry for too long to try something new should take notes from Siobhan Bohnson, president and CEO of the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce and a veteran of the banking industry.
Bohnson, who was hired last year to succeed former CEO Barry Feingold, said she's still not quite sure how she ended up as the head of a chamber. But after decades in business development roles at area banks —with occasional interludes elsewhere — Bohnson said it's been a breath of fresh air.
“It has enhanced my professional career and it's given me an opportunity to run a business without my name being first,” said Bohnson, a resident of West Boylston, where she's also a selectwoman.
Bohnson was encouraged by a colleague to apply for the job, despite the fact that she had never worked for a chamber of commerce. She was selected after a lengthy interview process, including an initial phone interview that Bohnson remembers as the most difficult part.
That's probably because she prefers face-to-face interactions, which, of course, are key in any business development role. And whether it's banking or nonprofit leadership, Bohnson said the same rules apply.
Since joining the chamber, Bohnson has worked to reinvigorate the membership by adding educational offerings that are particularly useful to small-business owners, such as seminars on new state laws affecting employers. The chamber also launched a boot camp for small businesses, a program in which experts from various fields provide practical advice to small-business owners on all facets of operations. At around 500 members, Bohnson hopes this will boost membership for the Milford Area Chamber.
“I think right now, we're concentrating on giving our members the support and the connections that will enhance their business,” said Bohnson, who earned a bachelor's degree in business from Fitchburg State University.
Leadership has also grown under Bohnson; Since her arrival, the chamber has added three members to the board of directors, now comprised of 17 local business leaders from organizations of all sizes. Bohnson said the idea is to broaden the collective perspective of the board on issues that are important to local businesses. Bohnson also brings her own perspective on running a small business to the job: she used to run her own local maternity boutique, with stores in West Boylston and Worcester, in the 1990s.
Finally, Bohnson has strived to enhance the chamber's community giving programs, perhaps most notably its scholarship fund. In partnership with Milford-based companies Waters Corp. and Baxter Corp., the chamber will award seven $1,000 scholarships to local students this year, compared with just one in the past.
“I've always believed in giving back to the community,” Bohnson said. “I think it assists us in growing, and it assists the community in growing.”
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10 to Watch 2015 - Siobhan Bohnson, Milford Area Chamber of Commerce
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